Process of treating fine filamentous threads



Aug. 31, 1937. c. A. HUTTINGER' 2,091,232

PROCESS OF TREATING FINE FILAMENTOUS THREADS Filed Match 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I. l I I U I l I I I I l I I I 0 0 0 n D O V 0 mm 00 oo 00 MW Aug. 31, 1937. c, HUTUNGER 2,091,282

PROCESS OF TREATING FINE FILAMENTOUS THREADS Filed March 21/1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1000001 m noooom Aug. 31, 1937. c. A. HUTTINGER PROCESSOF TREATING FINE FILAMENTOUS THREADS Filed March 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 s m H 6 N ..M M Z 2 A w. w 5 Q M a m .5

IOQOOOI IDOOQOI IOOOOOU Patented Aug. 31, 1937 a 2 991 232.

EJNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE rnocnss or TREATING FINE FILAMENTOUS 'rnmisns Charles A. Huttinger, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to Acme Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 21, 1936, Serial No. 10,047

is Claims. (Cl. 18-54) My invention relates to means for supporting treating liquid andthe rayon packages. Certain rayon packages when liquid treating such pack other advantages attach to the solid rubber conages to effect the difierent purifying operations struction which will clearly appear in other por-.

to which rayon is necessarily subjected, before tions of this specification.

5 the precipitated and package-collected thread Some forms of my invention also include means 5 can be considered a final product ready for the for permitting to the package, under the action market. These liquid treatments include various of the treating liquid, and during the early stages water washings, desulphurizing, bleaching, oiling, of the treatment, a predetermined amount of sizing, dyeing, drying, and other purifying and lengthwise elongation, so that packages liquidfinishing operations. treated by these forms of 'the invention not only 10 Particularly, the invention relates to package expand inwardly and become loosened up .in supports utilized during such treatments of freshplanes transversely intersecting their axes but 1y spun rayon collected in tubular packages, such also are increased in length to a certain extent as the well known cakes, bobbins, spools, etc. in planes parallel to the package axes.

Primarily, the inventio'n relates to means used My invention also includes improved processes in such treatments which loosen up the freshly of liquid-treating fine filamentous thread in spun packages so as to provide for all parts of the package form. In my improved method of pack-' package their respective scopes of natural free age treatment, the package is surrounded by the play, relative to other parts of the package, thus treating liquid and the latter acts as a lubricant 0 effecting a natural alteration of the relative for the thread obviating injury to the latter. positions of all. of the thread strands comprising It is well understood 'by those skilled in the art the packages and of the diiferent portions of the that rayon packages of the character herein depa a h s loosening of th P a s is eiscribed are spun so that the strands thereof fected I Without injuriollsly sa r t substantially prevent any enlargement of the thread or the multiple filaments of which the package perimeter, during liquid treatment; when thread is comprised, 80 that e pa ka ay be using liquid pressures within practicable limits. dried in the treated package form, preliminary to Therefore, the efiect of thetreating liquid passed the sale thereof to the market, or to the rewind-- into the package, under any pressures practicably ing thereof into some other form of package for usable, is not to expand or deform the package such sale, without inducing strains or anlmmooutwardly so a to increase its perimeter to any 30 bile condition in any portion of the package material extent. Although the range of pracwhich would result in a non-uniform dyeing or ticable liquid pressures is considerable, particubarred efiect. larly by reason of the different effects of different The purification and other treatments of the treating liquids, and by reason of the, different p cka es are carried out withoutundulyimpaircharacteristics of packages made in different ing the tenacity and elasticity of the thread ways-I preferably use a nominal pressure of from which are essential to later handling and proctwoto three pounds when working the improved 888mg and us a d W t ut s tt up 008. processes of the instantinvention. The net e1- tension areas or non-uniform strains in the feet or a liquid treatment upon a package by my 40 pa eimproved process is somewhat to decrease the 40 tia y. thc i p o package supp P perimeter of the original package.

' vides a chamber in,which the spun package as The annexed drawings and the following dea whole, and difierent package portions,'may exscriptlon set forth in detail certain means illusp n inw r y nd m y nu n make trating my improved package-treating apparatus and-fro floating movements, under the action of and certain procedures illustrating my improved 45 a e t n liq p e under Pre r to the package-treating process, such means and pro- Dackage, transversely of the axis ther and cedures constituting, however, only a few of the alternately in both directions, thus to increase vari forms in i h th principle of t 1 the wall thickness of the package and decrease proved apparatus may be embodied, and only a 5 its density. The effect is to loosen up the packfew or the various methods by which the prin- 60 8c a treat-1tciple of the improved process may be worked.

Preferably, my entire improved package-treat- The claims of this application are directed to my ing apparatus is formed 01' solid rubber or, at improved package-treating process. least, it is lined with rubber, so as to obviate me- In. said annexed drawings;

66 tallic corrosion which would contaminate the Figure 1 is a broken longitudinal section of one form of my improved supporting means for rayon packages, showing both ends of a longitudinal tier of aligned packages loosely mounted thereon,

whereby they can be liquid-treated by my improved process. This view illustrates ,one form of support in which a loosening up of the package by liquid treatment is eflected both by an inward transverse expansion of the package and a certain lengthwise elongation thereof, the view showing cake packages in the form in which they are collected by the spinning of the freshly precipitated thread from the setting bath;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 2-2,

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view of the upper part of Figure 1 but showing the form and position which the packages assume as a result of the liquid treatment, this view also showing certain means for effecting a tight clamping together of the several parts of the supporting means before commencing the liquid treatment;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line 4-4,

Figure 3;

' Figure 5 is a partial elevation and a partial lengthwise section of one of the package inserts shown in multiple in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the package insert shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a broken lengthwise section of a modified form of package-supporting means, in which also during the liquid treatment the package is both expanded transversely and permitted a certainlengthwise elongation, the view showing cake packages in the form in which the freshly spun thread is collected;

Figure 8 is a view of the upper part of Figure '7 but showing the form and position assumed by the packages as a result of the liquid treatment and also showing means for effectinga tight clamping together of the several parts of the supporting means before commencing the liquid treatment;

' Figure 8a is a view similar to Figure 8 but showing a reversed end-for-end structure of the individual package inserts, so that adjacent inserts are nested together differently than shown in Figurefi;

Figure 9 is a partial elevation and partial lengthwise section of two of the adjacent package inserts shown in multiple in Figure 7, the two inserts being spaced apart somewhat -so as to make clear how inserts can be nested together for the assembling thereon of a plurality of closely adjacent packages in a longitudinal tier;

Figure 10 is a transverse section, taken in the plane indicated by the line llll0, Figure 9;

Figure 11- is a plan view, taken from the plane indicated by the line Il-l I, Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a form of my improved package supporting means which is similar to that shownin Figure 1 except that no provision is made in the form of 05 support shown in Figure 12 for a lengthwise expansion of the cake packages during the liquid treatment;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12 but showing the packages in the form and position which they assume asa result of the liquid treatment;

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 1 but in,

which there are additionally provided fabric covers for the respective individual packages, the view showing cake packages in the form in which the freshly spun thread is collected, and also showing the general arrangement of the fabric covering upon the packages before the liquid treatment;

Figure 15 is-a view similar to Figure 14 but 5 showing the form and position assumed by the package and its covering as a result of the liquid treatment;

Figure 16 is a partial elevation and a partial lengthwise section of an individual package in- 10 sert of modified structure, the modification consisting in the provision of lengthwise recesses intersecting the peripheral surface of a package insert such as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 17 is a transverse section of the package 15 insert shown in Figure 16, the view being taken in the'plane indicated by the line l'ill, Figure 16; and.

Figure 18 is an enlarged view of a fragmentary portion of a transverse section of a modified form 20 of package insert, the modification consisting in enlarging the outer ends of certain ports provided in the package insert shown in Figure 5.

Referring to the annexed drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same respec- 25 tive numbers in the several views, and first particularly referring to the form of package supporting means shown in Figures 1-6, I mount a lengthwise tier of axially-aligned tubular rayon packages, such as cakes l4, collected during the 30 spinning of freshly precipitated rayon thread, upon improved supporting means assembled in the manner hereinafter fully described, and effect the liquid treatments of the packages when so mounted in a suitable treating chamber I hav- 35 ing an open top 2 and within which is circulated the treating liquid 3 through the package bodies. The showing of the packages l4 in Figure 1 is in substantially the form in which such packages of the cake type are collected from a viscose-pre- 40 cipitating bath during the spinning operation.

For mounting the packages I4 I use a plurality of improved package inserts 4, ,Figure 5, one for each package, in the form of invention illustrated, which are adapted to be nested together 45 to form continuous supporting means for a lengthwise tier of axially-aligned packages [4. The supporting structure has a cover consisting of a pad member 5 having a smooth lower face intersected by a recess 25 which is circular in 50 cross section and receives the upper end of the upper individual package insert 4, the diameter of the recess 25 being slightly greater than the diameter of the upper end of the package insert 4. The cover 5 is provided with an annular cham- 55 bered and open-top resilient buffer 6 upwardlyextended from the top surface thereof and adapted to be engaged by a vertically-movable plate i which has extended from its upper surface a hub 8 within which is secured a rod 9 actuable by any 60 suitable means to move the plate I downwardly and upwardly so as to effect the tight clamping together or the releasing of the lengthwise tier .of individual inserts 4, since the ends of these inserts 4 each have cooperating nesting means hereinafter more fully referred to. The plate 1 serves also as a complete or partial cover for the surface of the liquid 3 in tank I to prevent escape squeezed into the shape shown in Figure 3. The

clamping means have a rubber cover III and the upper recess 21 in the flange I2 for the reception of the larger end of a. frustro-conical tubular rayon package I4, the package I4 surrounding the insert column, as clearly shown in Figure l. The taper of the surface II corresponds quite closely to the taper of the inside face of .the package I4.

The diameter of a cross section of the column of the insert 4 is materially smaller than the inside diameter of an untreated package I4 so that when the latter is mounted on one end on the flange i2 and in the recess?! an annular lengthwise opening I5 is created between the surface I I of the insert 4 and the inside face of the rayon package I4. This opening I5 is a. chamber in which the package I4 may transversely pulsate and inwardly expand and become loosened up during the liquid treatment, as hereinafter more fully described.

The insert 4 has an open top end I6 and a bottom I! formed with an opening II". The bottom II is formed with a recess I8 circular in cross section and intersected by the opening IT and of a diameter somewhat in excess of the diameter of r the open top end of an insert 4 so that the top ends .of the inserts will nest with the bottoms of respectively adjacently higher inserts against shoulders 28 to form a lengthwise column of inserts, such as shown in Figure 1. The bottom insert 4 is mounted upon the bottom '29 of the tank I and the bottom 29 is formed with an opening 52 surrounded by a raised seat 5| formed in the bottom 29 of the tank I. The opening 52 through the bottom 29 forms a port for the passage of liquid between the exterior of the" tank I and the chamber 65 formed within the lengthwise tier of inserts 4. The bottom 29 of the tank I is formed with a plurality of ports 66 communicate ing with the chamber 61 of the tank I exteriorly of the cakes I4, so that, since the columns of the 60 inserts 4 are ported, as hereinafter mentioned, treating liquid can be circulated in the tank I in either direction through'the cakes I4, either by being passed into the tank I through the ports '52 and out through the ports 66, or in through the ports 66 and out through the ports 52, and,

in either event, the treating liquid passes through the bodies of the lengthwise tier of cakes I4.

In order to effect an assemblage of the inserts 4 easily and conveniently, the inserts '4 are nested together somewhat loosely, a small annular space 23 being formed between the side wall of the recess l8 and the outer surface of the top end of the insert 4 which is nested therein; The wall of the serts and fiuid flow throughout the chamber 4!.

of the whole column of inserts.

In the, form of device shown in Figures 1-6, 75 the flanges I2 of adiacent inserts 4,-whcn the latter are assembled as shown in Figure 1, are

spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the length of a freshly spun package I4, so that when the packages are assembled for treatment,

as shown in Figure 1, a space I9 is provided be- 5 I tween the top of each package I4 and the adjacently higher flange I2. By reason ofthis space IS, the package I4 is permitted a certain lengthwise elongation during the liquid treatment, as hereinafter more fully explained. 10

The inner wall bounding the recess 21 of each insert flange i2 is of curved formation, as indicated by 22", so as to accommodate, without entangling the rayon threads, the inner lower corner of the package I4 when the latter has been 15 expanded into the opening I5, as shown in Figure 3, and as hereinafter fully described.

The treatmentliquid is derived from asuitable source, and circulated by suitable means, and reversed in flow-direction, as desired. In coming 0 from and returning to the circulating means, the treating liquid passes to and from the ports 52 and 66 via chambers 83 and 84 formed in a treatment base or foundation, which chambers 83 and 84 are separated by partition members 85, por- 25 tions of which. are suggested in Figure 1. The treatment tank I rests upon a rubber gasket 86 mounted on a fixed working base (not shown, except that a portion of said base is suggested by the partition members 85) 30 A column of inserts 4 and packages I4, assembled as shown in Figure 1, with the bottom of the outside faces of the packages I4 substantially in contact with the beads I3 of the support flanges I2, is subjected to a treating liquid 3 circulated under pressure repeatedly through the tank I and, during certain stages of the treatment, alternately reversed in direction of flow, now being passed into the interior of the column of inserts 4 through the ports 52, and 40 thence passed through the insert ports 2|) into the openings I5 and thence passing through the packagcs I4 from within outwardly, and out I through the ports 66; and then being passed into' the tank I through the ports 66, thence through 45 the packages I4 from without inwardly through the openings I5 and through the ports 20 to the interior of the column'of package inserts 4, and out'through the ports 52. During the treatment of the packages I4 by the liquid 3, the packages 50 expand inwardly into the openings I5, due to the gradual loosening up of the packages effected by the liquid treatment and due to the fact that the packagesare so spun that they cannot expand outwardly to increase their perimeters to any material extent, as hereinbefore explained. Also I8 beingso limited in depth that the lengthwise elongation of the packages is less in extent than the packages would make if they werepermitted to elongate without restraint. In other words, the depth of a space I! is not as great as the distance through which the package I4 would elongate if it were not restrained and were per- 76 mitted to elongate to the full extent which it would undergo under the liquid treatment. This lengthwise elongation of the packages I4 is particularly evident when treating freshly spun thread in the gel state. As more time elapses after the spinning of 'the thread and before the initial liquid treatment thereof, the tendency of the packages I4 to elongate under liquid treatment decreases.

If perchance the liquid pressure is such, or the density of the package I4 is such, as to prevent reasonably easy first passage and penetration of the package body I4 by the treating liquid, then, during the initial stages of the liquid treatment, the space I9 provides pressure-relief by permitting treating liquid to escape 'therethrough and thus by-pass the package body I4 until the package I 4 has become somewhat more porous and has been loosened up both lengthwise and transversely and has closed the space I9.

The position and form of the treated package 36, after the liquid treatment, is shown in Figure 3 wherein it will be noted that the package 36 has filled the opening I5 and has its inner face substantially adjacent the surface I I of its insert 4, and its upper end closely in contact with the bottom" face of the flange I2 of the next higher package insert 4. Thus it will be noted that the ends and inner face of the. expanded package 35 are accommodated by or seated against the surface II of the insert 4 and the adjacent flanges I2. Thus the construction aifords relocating means for the expanded package, while serving also to prevent any washingdown or damaging of the'package, or the dislocation of the thread layers thereof, during the liquid treatment. In so expanding and assuming the shape and condition shown in Figure 3, the package 36 has been pulled away, by the tension of the exterior strands thereof, and/or floated apart, somewhat from the inner face of the flange bead l3, as indicated by space 24, Figure 3.

For the escape of any air entrapped during the liquid treatment in the chamber 65, a small relief channel 2i is formed in the cover member 5.

In order to facilitate the assembling, removal,

and handling of the individual inserts, each insert 4 may be integrally formed with or provided with a bar 19, preferably located near the top of the insert and disposed transversely of the opening I6.

In providing treating liquid 3 for the cake treatments, the treatment tank I is filled with the treating liquid 3 until the latter overflows at the level 80 into a chamber 8| whence he overflow passes'out from the tank I y a down pipe 82.

When the direction-of liquid flow is from without the cakes and inwardly thereof, a negative pressure or suction is created by the liquid-circulating medium within the chamber 65 and, Openings I5 interiorly of the cakes l4, and the pressure 01 the treating liquid on the exterior faces of the cakes I4 is atmospheric, due to the provision of the overflow or vent 8|.

atmospheric pressure, and, when the flow of treating liquid is from without the packages inwardly, the pressure on the outside of the packages I4 is atmospheric, due to the overflow or vent 3| at the top of the treatment tank I as hereinbefore explained. Furthermore, the effective work done by the treating liquid is uniform on all packages I4 of a vertical tier of packages, regardless of. the height of the tier, the formation of any substantial diflerential effect tending to arise from any hydrostatic head being obviated by reason of the provision of the overflow 3I.

The depth of the space I3, which controls the amount of longitudinal elongation permitted to the package I4, can be coordinated with the amount of permissible lateral loosening of the package so as to produce a desired amount of longitudinal elongation of the package relative to the amount of inward expansion of the latter.

When the package I4 has been expanded inwardly by the action of a treating liquid applied to the exterior face thereof, the package tends to reestablish itself in its original form under the action of the treating liquid when the flow direction of the latter is reversed. However, only a comparatively short treatment period is neces sary, and only a very few reversals of direction of liquid flow; to cause the package I4 substantially completely to fill the space I5, as hereinafter more fully explained.

In the form of package supporting means shown in Figures 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11,a hard rubber cover member 3I is provided with an annular and chambered open-top resilient buffer 32 projected upwardly from its upper face and engageable by a plate I to clamp a vertical tier of inserts, as clearly shown in Figure 8. This member 3| is formed with a downwardly-extended tubular extension 35 forming the upper half of the topmost insert 30' of a vertical tier of inserts for a plurality of rayon packages. The remainder of the inserts each designated 30", forming the vertical tier of inserts, are adapted to each provide cooperating means for the lower half of one rayon package I4 and the upper half of the adiacently lower package I4, except a base insert 51 which forms the lower half of an insert for the lowermost rayon package I4. These supporting means have laterally-extended flanges 33 formed intermediate the ends of the inserts 30 and at the bottom of the insert 51 so that one frustro-conical package I4 can be rested upon its larger end on the top of the flange 33 and the smaller end of another frustro-conical package is disposed adiacently beneath the flange 33 and is rested by its larger end "upon the flange 33 of the adjacently lower insert 30, all as clearly shown in Figure 7. The flange 33 of the insert is provided with a peripheral bead 31 forming a recess 55 within which the bottom end of the rayon package l4 may be mounted. The portion of the insert 30 upwardly extended from the flange 33 is indicated by 34, and the portion of the insert 33 downwardly extendedlfrom the flange 33 is indicated by 35". The top edge of an insert portion 34 and the edge of the adjacently higher insert portion 35 register to form a continuous surface 53 outwardly tapered from the adja'cently lower flange 33 and having substantially the same inclination as the inner face of the frustro-conical rayon package l4 rested by its larger end upon the flange 33. The insert portions 34 have open tops 39 and the insert portions 35 have open bottom portions 43 formed with downwardly extended pilot members 4|. The pilot members 4I register with the open tops 39 so as to provide for the nesting together of a plurality of inserts 30, the nesting together being loose enough to facilitate easy assembling of the inserts. The bottom aoeaasa insert 51 is formed with a port 58 by means of which liquid may pass into and out of the interior of its portion 34. In the form of device shown in Figure 7, the flanges 33, and the body member of the cover 3! and the adjacently lower flange 33, and the body of the bottom insert 5'1 and the adjacently upper flange 33 are, respectively, spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the length of a rayon package l4 so as to provide a space 44 between the top of each package i4 and the adjacently higher flange 33 or the body of the cover member 3|. The outer lower surface of the insert members 34 and the upper outer surface of the insert members 35 are rounded as indicated by 43 and 42, respectively, so as to provide for the expansion of the packages M at theupper and lower edges of the inner faces of the packages 14, without entangling of threads thereof, as clearly shown by the expanded packages 36, Figure 8. The walls of insert members 34 and 35 are formed with ports 46 whereby liquid flow is provided between the interiors and extew riors of the inserts 30, this flow being into and from openings 38 provided between the exterior faces 53 of the supports 30, andthe interior faces of the rayon packages l4, in the unexpanded condition of the latter, as clearly shown in Figure '7. The insert portions 34 and 35 are formed with lengthwise passages 41 in their outer surfaces 30 which intersect the outer ends of the ports 46,

and the insert portions 34 with lengthwise passages 59 in their inner surfaces which intersect the inner ends of the adjacent ports 46. These passages 41 and 59, which'are in the form of 35 grooves or recesses, serve to tie together the wall ports 46; Ports 46 formed in the upper faces of the insert portions 33 serve to connect the upper ends of passages 59 with the joints between adjacently vertical passages 41. 40

The effect of liquid treatment upon a lengthl wise tier of packages l4 assembled as shown in j Figure 7 is clearly indicated by the packages '38 in Figure 8 wherein it will be noted that the packages have expanded inwardly so as substantially 45 to fill the openings 38 and have elongated so as to fill the spaces 44, the final position of the outer faces of the packages 36 being somewhat interiorly of the inner walls of the beads 31, as indicatedby the spaces 45, Figure 8.

In the form of device shown in Figure 8a, the portions 34 and 35 of the inserts 30 and. 30' of Figure 7 have been reversed end-to-end, soas to provide for the nesting of a pilot 49 which is formed upon the top 48 of each insert portion 35' V of an insert 3|! with the open bottom 50 of the insert portions 34' of the adjacently higher insert 30? and of the cover member 3|. The tapers of the insert portions 34' and 35, in this form of device, are such that the insert portion 35 tapers 6o outwardly from the flange 33 and the insert member 34' widens outwardly fromthe flange 33,

so that the insert 30 for a package I4 is formed with the same taper as the inserts 30 and 30', shown in Figures 7 and 8, whereby, similarlyto 65 the assemblage shown in Figures 7 and 8, a package 14 is rested by its larger end upon the flange 33 of an insert 30?, Figure 8a, with its upper small end adjacent the lower face of the adjacently higher flange 33. I a

In the forms of package-supporting means shown in Flgures '7 and 8a, the chamber 65 interiorly of the support structure is not of uniform cross-sectional dimension but changes in crosses:

section adjacent each joint between nested in- 75'serts 30, 30', 33*, and 51., In Figure '7, assuming the flow of treating liquid is upwardly of the structure, some of the liquid at each joint passes upwardly through the passages 59 of the insert portion 34 for distribution through the communicating ports 46 to the adjacent package l4, and the balance of the liquid passes into the adja cently higher insert 33'. In Figure So, all the liquid reaching a joint passes the joint and then, upon entering the insert portion 34 of the next adjacently higher insert 39 the liquid in part follows the passages 53 for distribution through the communicating ports 43 to the adjacent rayon package, and in part passes to the upper portion 35' of the insert 30. 1

One of the advantages-ct package supporting inserts 30 and 30, of the constructions shown in Figures 8 and 8a, respectively, is that there are no openings between the ends of such inserts and the walls of the ends of the adjacent inserts with which they register or nest, such as the openings 23, Figure 1. Thus, the possibility of entangllng the package thread in and by means of such openings 23 during the liquid treatment is prevented. This advantage is particularly evident when the cakes H are not wrapped in fabric or other protective coverings during the liquid treating operation, An especial advantage or the reversed end to-end arrangement, shown in Figure 8a, is that by such structure uniform feed of water to the several rayon packages may be more certainly assured. In the form of device shown in Figure-7, and assuming that the treating liquid is fed into the supporting structure from the bottom, the pressure cit-"the treating liquid might in some instances be strong enough so as to carry the treating liquid too rapidly by the ports 46 of the lower inserts 51 and ac to permit these lower ports to pass their suitable share or the treating liquid, and so the lower cakes l4 would not be emciently liquid-treated. Furthermore, a speeding up, of the velocity of liquid flow would occur at the joint between each two contiguous inserts 30 by reason ,0! the narrowing of the liquid chamber 65 within the supporting structure at these junctlon points. However, in the form of structure shown 1n- Figure 8a, the liquid chamber 35 leading upwardly within the supporting structure is gradually narrowed from the bottom to the top of each insert 30 and then is widened at the point where p the insert nests with the adjacently higher insert.

Therefore, the treating liquid enters the supporting structure and each unit insert 3|! thereof over a wider area, and hence more slowly, than it leaves each individual insert 30. That is, the velocity of the treating liquid is speeded up progressively through each insert 30 and slowed down as it enters each succeeding insert 30.

Inthe forms of supporting structure shown in Figures 7-11, the central ports 48', which are those'adjacent the ends of the insert portions 34 and 34', are the essential ports for passing liquid between the interior and exterior of each insert ,III or 30'. In fact, these ports 45' inthemselves 'are ottentimea cuflicient ror-satislactoryopera- 'tion. By means of the peripheral recesses 41,

these ports 43 have ready access to the entire inside face of the rayon packages l4, and by reason of the passages 59 and 59' in the inner face of the insert portions and 34', ample liquid flow between the inner chamber 65 of the supporting structure and ports 46' .is provided. 7

In the form of supporting structure shown in Figures 12 and 13, an arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 31s provided except that the flanges 33 are spaced a distance apart subage is in freshly spun condition, is loosely enfolded in a protective cover 55 which is wrapped about the whole package and is lapped exteriorly of the package II in substantially the formation shown in Figure 14. A protective covering 55 is used which permits ready passage therethrough of the treating liquid, being preferably formed of fabric such as cheese-cloth. When the packages II are transversely expanded and elongated lengthwise by the liquid treatment, the loose fabric wrapping 55-becomes taut to closely encom-- pass the package, as shown in Figure 15. The fabric wrapping 55 when initially placed upon the package is loose enough so as to permit the package ll to expand under the liquid treatment without a movement of the wrapping 55, or a shifting thereof, over the package surface. The covering 55 is particularly of advantage, when liquid treating packages it according to my improved process with package supporting apparatus which form recesses, such as the openings 23, Figures 1 and 14, wherein the thread of the package i4 might become disarranged or en'- tangled during processing, since the covering 55 prevents such disarrangement or entanglement of the thread in these openings.

- In Figures 16 and IV, I show a form'of an individual package insert 5| which is similarto that shown in Figure 5 except that its tapered outer surface 59 is intersected by lengthwise re-' cesses 10. These recesses open into ports 55 passing through the wall of the insert 5| but are of a substantially greater width than the ports", as clearly shown in Figure 17. This insert 5! has an opentop 52 whereby it may have liquid communication with an adjacently higher insert 5i through a circular recess 54 having an open top communicating with the interior of the insert 5|. This recess 55 is formed in a bottom member 53 having an outwardly-extended flange.

50 I5 formed with an upwardly-extended peripheral bead '11. Thus there is formed a recess II within which the larger bottom end of a frustro-conie,

54 is slightly larger in cross-section than theopen top 52 so that there is formed an annular shoulder 12 against which the adiacently lower 60 insert 5i may abut in a nested arrangement of a plurality of inserts 5| to form a lengthwise tier of inserts for mounting a plurality of rayon packages for liquid treatment.

In Figure 18, the insert 13 is not provided with exterior lengthwise recesses for distributing the treating liquid to the rayon packages or draining liquid therefrom but in lieu thereof the ports H through the walls of the insert 13 are enlarged at their outer ends I5.

In all forms of my improved package supporting structures, provision is made by means of expansion chambers l5 and 55 for a loosening of the package which may be slightly more than necessary. In-other words, the flnal position of 75 the inside face of the expanded package 55 might not be tightly against the exterior surfaces of the tubular columns of the insert but there might be a slight space,such as 38, Figure 8, between the inner face of the expanded package 35 and the adjacent exterior surface of the insert 30, 50', or 35. Such a space 38' as described will facilitate the removal of the expanded package 15 from the inserts.

By my improved process of treating rayon cakes, the following effects are produced in the cake package substantially in the order stated: first, the package i4, particularly when treating freshly spun packages in the gel state, elongates under liquid influence until it fills the space l9 or H and the top end of the package abuts the lower face of an insert flange 33; then, in a comparatively short time, possibly one or two minutes, by a few reversals of direction of flow of the treating liquid, involving a few package pulsations, the package is inwardly expanded and loosened up so as substantially to fill the space l5 or 35; and then, the liquid treatment is continued for such a period of time as is suitable for the particular treatment and/or the character of the package, this final treatment being preferably, although not necessarily, effected by a passage of the treating liquid from inside the package outwardly. Although, in order to obtain efilcient results from my improved method of processing rayon packages, it is not necessary so to work my method, I prefer to cause the last direction of flow of treating liquid, in, the final stages of treatment, to be from without the packages inwardly so that the-last shape and condition of the package, before drying the latter, is a porous and highly slack one, and thus the drying may be eifected under the most advantageous conditions for obtaining uniformmontraction, during drying, of all parts of the package.

The movements of the package which are occasioned by my improved method of processing, including the pulsating thereof, and the consequent porosity of the package, give allportions of the latter full opportunity to contract when dryboth faces of the package tends to make the package become buoyant and to tend to float so that under the liquid treatment the package swishes back and forth'similar to the movements of skein packages when the latter are treated with liquid in the manner well-known to those skilled in the art. By float" is meant those movements of the package induced and maintained bythe wetting and the-pressure and the directions of movement of the treating liquid, limited longitudinally by the adjacent insert flange and limited outwardly by the nature of the package strands and inwardly by the exterior surface of the tubular columns of the package inserts which prevent any inward package movement in excess of the predetermined desired maximum inward movement.

Although for purposes of illustration I have described and shown my improved process and my improved rayon package supporting structure, with reference to the supporting and treatment of cake packages, the invention is applicable'to the comprising the rayon thread are twisted when they are collected.

What I claim is: 1. A process of treating a thread of fine flla-- mentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, underliquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and then floating the package in, and by the action of, a treating liquid applied thereto under pressure, while providing for a predetermined maximum length which the package can attain under the liquid treatment, and while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers.

2. A process of treating a threadoffine filamentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, underliquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and then floating the package in, and by the action of, a. treating liquid applied'thereto under pressure, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make, under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers.

3. A process of treating a thread of fine fila-v mentous character in annular package formconsisting in mounting a spun rayon, package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by elongating longitudinally, but in an amount less than it tends to elongate under 40 liquid treatment, and by expanding inwardly and uniformly fromend to end, and then floating the package in, and bythe action of, a treating liquid applied thereto under pressure, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid treatment to an amountless than would cause the washing down or the-package and the dislocation of the thread layers.

4. A process of treating a thread of flne fila-.

5o mentouscharacterin annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid'treatment, to

increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end'to end, and then pulsating the package in, and by the action of, a treating llql} applied thereto under pressure and altemately in opposite directions to eflect a floating of the package in the treating liquid,'while limiting" the range.

of the floating movements which the packagecan make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers. x

5. A process of treating a thread of flne fila; mentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that in opposite directions to effect a floating of the package in the treating liquid, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid .treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers;

6. A process of treating a thread of fine fllamentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to I decrease its density both by elongating longitudinally, but man amount less than it tends to elongate under liquid treatment, and by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end to increase its wall thickness, then applying a treating liquid to the mounted package, to elongate the package, and then pulsating the elongated package in, and by the action of, a treating liquid applied thereto under pressure and alternately'in opposite directions to efiect a floating of the package in the treating liquid, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers.

7. A process of treating a thread of due filamentous character in annular package form con sisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to decrease its density both by elongating. longitudinally, but in an amount less than it tends to elongate under liquid treatment, and byexpanding inwardly a predeterminedmaximum amount, and uniformly from end to end, to increase its mentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, underliquid treatment, to decrease its density both by elongating longitudinally, but in, an amount less than it tends to elongate under liquid treatment, and by expanding inwardly a predetermined maximum amount, and uniformly from end to end, to increase its wall thickness, then placing the package in a state of flotation by subjecting the same elongate the package and to'expand the same inwardly, then pulsating the floating elongated and expanded package in the treating liquid, by applying the treating liquid thereto under pressure and alternately in opposite-directions, and then completing the desired treating Operation by subjecting-the package in the-treating liquid to the action of the treating liquid applied to the inner face of the package.

in, and to the action of e. treating liquid, to

9. A process of treating a thread of fine fllav mentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, underliquidtreatment, to decrease its density both by elongating longitudinally, but in an amount less than it terids to elongate under liquid treatment, and by expanding inwardly a predetermined maximunr amount, and uniformly from end to end, to increase its wall thickness, then placing, the package in a state of flotation by subjecting the same in, and to the action of, a treating liquid, to elongate the package and to expand the same inwardly, then pulsating the floating elongated and expanded package in the treating liquid, by applying the treating liquid thereto under pressure and alternately in opposite directions, then subjecting the package in the treating liquid to the action of the treat- 10 ing liquid by applying the latter to the inner face of the package, and then completing the desired treating operation and obtaining a highly porous final product by applying the treating liquid to the outer face of the package.

10. A process of treating a thread of flne fllamentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness anddecrease its density,

by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, then pulsating the package in, and by the action of, a treating liquid applied under pressure to the interior and exterior faces of the package alternately to effect a floating of the package in the treating liquid, while limiting the rangeof the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers, the flnal liquid application being made at the exterior face of the package to produce a final package in highly porous condition.

11. A process of treating spun rayon packages of annular formation consisting in assembling a plurality of such packages in a closed vertical tier in an enclosing vessel having an overflow above the level of the top of the package tier and exteriorly of the package tier, the packages being assembled so that they are free, under liquid '40 treatment, to increase their wall thickness and decrease their densi y. by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and then pulsating the packages in, and by the action of a treating liquid passed under pressure into and out from the vessel below the level of the bottom of the package tier and applied alternately to the inner and outer faces of the packages to effect a floating of the packages in the treating liquid, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the packages can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the packages and the dislocation of the thread layers.

12. A process of treating spun rayon packages of annular formation consisting in assembling a plurality of such-packages in a closed vertical tier so that the packages are free, under liquid treatment, to increase their wall thickness and decrease their density, by expanding inwardly I and uniformly from end to end, and then pulsatwhile limiting the range of the floating move-' ments which the packages can make under vthe liquid treatment, to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the packages and the dislocation of the thread layers, the velocity of the liquid flow'being repeated varied as the liquid passes through the interior of the tier of packages.

l3.A process of treating spun rayon packages of annular formation consisting in assembling a plurality of such packages in a closed vertical tier so that the packages are free, under liquid treatmerit, to increase their wall thickness and decrease their density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and then pulsating the packages in, and by the action of, a treating liquid applied under pressure to the inner and outer faces of the packages alternately to effect a floating of the packages in the treating liquid, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the packages can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the packages and the dislocation of the thread layers, the velocity of the liquid flow being alternately speeded up and slowed down as the liquid passes through the interior of the tier of packages.

14. A process of treating a thread offlne filamentgus character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package, while loosely covered with a protective liquid-permeable covering, so that it is free, under liquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decreaseits density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and then pulsating the package in, and by the action of, a treating liquid applied thereto under pressure and alternately in opposite directions to effect a floating of the package in the treating liquid, while limiting the range of the floating movements which the package can make under the liquid treatment to an amount less than would'cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread'layers.

15. A process of treating a thread of fine filamentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and providing package-relocating accommodations adapted to seat the ends and inner face of the package when expanded, such package-relocating accommodations limiting the inward expansion of the package to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers, and then floating the package in, and by the action of a treating liquid applied thereto under pressure.

16. A process of treating a thread of flne filamentous character in annular package form consisting in mounting a spun rayon package so that the same is free, under liquid treatment, to increase its wall thickness and decrease its density, by expanding inwardly and uniformly from end to end, and providing package-relocating accommodations adapted to seat the ends and inner face of the package when expanded, such packagerelocating accommodations limiting the inward expansion of the package to an amount less than would cause the washing down of the package and the dislocation of the thread layers, and then pulsating the package in, and by the action of, a

treating liquid applied thereto under pressure and alternately in opposite directions to effect a floating of the package in the treating liquid.

CHARLES A. HUT'I'INGER. 

